I didn’t really expect the school D&D Club to be running today – the first day of the new term – but 11 students showed up and two games got underway. Another two games didn’t have their players but both those GMs turned up and aim to begin next week.

First days at school are always uncertain and chaotic. This term, here in the UK, we are back to Covid restrictions that include students wearing face masks and being forced to space out tables into rows. We got permission to keep the club open – a massive boon for those students for whom this is a vital social activity – as long as we (that is my colleague and I) were willing to enforce those restrictions and keep the room well-ventilated.

What amazed me the most was the student who returned the Doctor Who starter set I had lent them last term because they had obtained a 1980s edition of the original Doctor Who Roleplaying Game to play instead. That student is planning a game of the original from next week. That leaves the starter set back in the club to be used by others. But how cool is it that a student who, less than 12 weeks ago, wasn’t a tabletop RPG gamer has sought out and is running an absolute classic?

The games running tonight were both D&D 5th Edition but it was great to see five players and four players respectively at the session. From next week the group of four will be regaining three players and be therefore running with seven. That’s pretty cool, if you ask me.

We have a keen bunch of young gamers who are clearly capable of running their own campaigns. Thanks to the generosity of Patrons, we have a spare D&D Starter Set and Essential’s Kit on standby too. It’s a delight to watch them grow in confidence together.

Game on!